Giants of Lore: Medivh

Welcome to Giants of Lore! This is a new type of blog in which I shall discuss popular figures of lore and help to unveil their shrouded past so that non-lore-junkies can better understand this world of Warcraft that we play in. Specifically, in this episode of GoL (Giants of Lore) we shall be discussing Medivh; also known as The Last Guardian, The Prophet, and The Oracle. So pull up a chair, chat with Loremaster Skosiris, and have a warm cup of Tea with Sugar as we look into Medivh's story!

First Life

Medivh's mother was Aegwynn, a Guardian of Tirisfal. For those that don't know, the Guardian of Tirisfal was a single person chosen by The Council of Tirisfal1 to secretly fight against the Burning Legion and any demons that might appear on Azeroth. The Guardian was imbued with powers from all of the members of the Council, thus becoming extremely powerful mages in their own right. All archmagi participating in the ritual loses a part of their power, which imbues the Guardian. This power is only regained if the power is stripped from the Guardian by the Council or of the Guardian dies. Guardians however live for centuries, so a Guardian losing their powers in order to pass on the role (as in the case of Aegwynn) was not too uncommon.

Now, as I was saying, Medivh's mother was a Guardian of Tirisfal. Eight hundred years before the coming of the orcs, Aegwynn fought (and supposedly) defeated Sargeras. Unbeknown to Aegwynn, Sargeras planned for her to defeat him, thus when he was 'slain' by her, his essence was transferred into her body where it lay dormant. Seven hundred and fifty five years later, Aegwynn wished to give birth to a child to whom she could pass on her powers. This was against the wishes of the Council, as the position of Guardian was supposed to be filled by the most likely candidate, and not be something that was passed down through generations. This would have maybe seen a dynasty of Magus Kings; a frightening prospect with that amount of magical and political power.

Aegwynn then seduced Nielas Aran, the court conjurer for the Kingdom of Azeroth and powerful sorcerer of the Council. Aegwynn named the baby Medivh2 and left the child in the care of his father. She was unaware that Sargeras had possessed him while he was still in the womb, and that she would be giving her powers to a demon lord in disguise, and not her son. These powers would lay dormant until adulthood.

It should be noted that during his childhood, Medivh became good friends with Anduin Lothar and Prince Llane Wrynn. When Medivh reached the age of fourteen, he sunk into a coma, when he awoke from the nightmares that he experienced while in the coma, he stumbled to his father's room. When his father touched him however, the power his mother gave him awoke, and by the time that the ensuing magical storm had subsided, his father was dead and Medivh had sunken back into a coma. He was not to awake for twenty years, and during this time he was tended by his friend Anduin Lothar and the clerics of Northshire Abbey.

Twenty years later, Medivh awoke from his coma. Although many were worried about him, he assured everyone that he was alright. Little did they know that Medivh was now controlled by the spirit of Sargeras that had inhabited his body while he was still in the womb. Medivh's powers now began increasing rapidly on a daily basis. Unfortunately, Medivh's hunger for power and knowledge grew just as his actual powers did, he even went so far in his quest for power to consort with the Burning Legion3. Medivh saw the humans of Azeroth as being a barrier in his path to greatness, so he started searching for a way to remove this hindrance. He found what he sought in the orcs of Draenor, who were at this time under the influence of the nefarious Shadow Council, led by Gul'dan4. Medivh promised to reveal the location of Sargeras' Tomb to Gul'dan if he would bring the Horde to Azeroth and wipe out the humans. Medivh then combined his power with that of the Shadow Council's to open up the Dark Portal. Around this time, some people (such as Aegwynn and a Blue Dragon named Arcanagos) saw that something was wrong with Medivh. They both confronted him (albeit, at different times) and they were both defeated. Medivh allowed his mother to live, but Arcanagos was killed.5

With the Dark Portal now open, the orcs were free to move into Azeroth, striking out from the Black Morass and harassing the humans. This is when the First War takes place. Unfortunately for Medivh, Khadgar soon discovered that Medivh was the one responsible for bringing the orcs into Azeroth. He and Garona Halforcen then went and took their evidence before before King llane and Anduin Lothar, both childhood friends of Medivh, and convinced them that Medivh must be stopped. Lothar then took a contingent of human troops6 and led them to Karazhan, Medivh's tower fortress, where they battled against the corrupt Guardian. During the battle, Khadgar was magically aged by Medivh's spellwork, but he managed to get close enough to press a Lothar's sword against Medivh's chest and eventually run him through his heart with it. At that point, Sargeras took complete control of Medivh's body and tried to fight them off. This continued until Lothar was able to decapitate the "Guardian", putting Medivh to rest and banishing Sargeras to the Twisting Nether.

Resurrection as the Prophet

After Lothar had decapitated his body, Medivh's spirit was finally free. But as he was leaving this world, he foresaw Azeroth's future and was resolved to come back to save it as a penance for his crimes. So with the help of his mother (lol, ur mom), his spirit was able to attain shape and with the last of Aegwynn's magic, she resurrected her son.7

The next appearance of Medivh occurs after the orcs have been freed from the internment camps and Thrall has been recognized as the new leader of the Horde.8 Thrall dreamed of the orcs and humans fighting while Infernals rained down from the sky, then when Thrall awoke, it was to Medivh standing over him, telling him that the dream was a vision and that to save his people he must travel to the forgotten lands of Kalimdor.

After Medivh's success with Thrall, he attempted to warn other influential characters such as Arthas, King Terenas, Jaina Proudmoore, and Archmage Antonidas. Unfortunately, all refused to believe Medivh except for Jaina.9 Jaina also traveled to Kalimdor, and it is there that she met Thrall. Together they traveled to the World Tree and the allied forces10 worked together to stop Archimonde who tried to harness the power of the World Tree to bring the Burning Legion to Azeroth. And so Medivh atoned for his debt to the peoples of Azeroth (as it was because of the actions of his previous life that the orcs and Burning Legion were able to enter Azeroth). His specific words right before disappearing were,

The roots will heal in time... as will the entire world. The sacrifices have been made. Just as the orcs, humans, and night elves discarded their old hatreds and stood united against a common foe, so did Nature herself rise up to banish the Shadow...forever. As for me, I came back to ensure that there would be a future, to teach the world that it no longer needed Guardians.11 The hope for future generations has always resided in mortal hands. And now that my task is done, I will take my place...amongst the legends of the past.

Thus with Azeroth saved from the impending doom of the Burning Legion, his task that he had come back to accomplish was finished. Medivh then vanished, either wandering Azeroth or leaving the mortal plain for good this time. However, recent reports of a large raven12 flying around the ruins of Kharazan suggest that the Last Guardian may still be among us . . .

But what do you guys think? Has Medivh truly left us for good, or is he still wandering around keeping a watch over the peoples of Azeroth?

Achtung!Do you have a specific character you would like to see in the next Giants of Lore? Send your suggestion to queggy@arideni.com! Remember, these are suggestions only! Just because you request a character to appear does not mean that they will be featured!_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes

1 - A secret council of human, gnome, and high elven mages charged with the selection and disposition of the Guardian of Tirisfal. The Council was formed by the most powerful of the high elves in order to prevent and safeguard Azeroth from the demons, a mistake made by their Highborne ancestors.

2 - It means Keeper of Secrets in the high elven tongue.

3 - Although, because he was controlled by Sargeras at this point, it isn't really that shocking.

4 - Who incidentally later becomes the Lich King, but that's for another GoL, eh? Ner'zhul is the one that becomes the Lich King, my bad! (I knew this, don't know how I made the mistake! Thanks to Septimus for pointing it out!)

5 - It was around this time that the mages of Dalaran sent Khadgar to Medivh so that he could become an apprentice.

6 - Including Khadgar and Garona.

7 - The first thing that Medivh did was to make a quick stop by Kharazan, where he talked with Khadgar telling him that with the destruction of his former self, his good side and evil side (the Guardian and Sargeras) had been defeated and that for the first time he was finally himself.

8 - For information on Thrall freeing the orcs and why they were in the interment camps, read this wiki page.

9 - In fact, the exact words that King Terenas used after hearing Medivh are:

I don't know who you are or what you believe, but this is not the time for rambling prophets! Our lands are beset by conflict, but it shall be we who decide how best to protect our people, not you!

10 - Under the influence of Medivh, the orcs, humans (a small band under the command of Jaina), and the Night Elves (under the command of Tyrande and Malfurion) allied together.

11 - Perhaps this disproves the theory that Thrall will become another Guardian of Tirisfal if Medivh was truly the last one . . .

12 - It should be noted that Medivh (after his resurrection) had the ability to transform into a large raven.

Comments

Comment by Kajira

on 2009-09-15T12:23:35-05:00

You should mention in passing that during Khadgar's and Garona's time with the living Medivh that Garona and Medivh got a little jiggy. Me'dan might have all the trappings of a Marty Sue, but he's official now and deserves a blurb.

Comment by Patty

on 2009-09-15T12:28:49-05:00

You should mention in passing that during Khadgar's and Garona's time with the living Medivh that Garona and Medivh got a little jiggy. Me'dan might have all the trappings of a Marty Sue, but he's official now and deserves a blurb.

I'm not classing him as official until he's in anything except a poorly written comic.

But nice one Queggy

Comment by sigurd58

on 2009-09-15T12:44:51-05:00

Awsome dude!

Comment by zizara

on 2009-09-15T13:41:10-05:00

... if he would bring to Horde to Azeroth and wipe out the humans.

dont you mean:... if he would bring the Horde to Azeroth and wipe out the humans.

Comment by Kangi

on 2009-09-15T13:50:19-05:00

Achtung! Do you have a specific character you would like to see in the next Giants of Lore? Send your suggestion to queggy@arideni.com! Remember, these are suggestions only! Just because you request a character to appear does not meant that they will be featured!

I think you mean "does not mean".

Comment by Queggy

on 2009-09-15T14:08:54-05:00

Achtung! Do you have a specific character you would like to see in the next Giants of Lore? Send your suggestion to queggy@arideni.com! Remember, these are suggestions only! Just because you request a character to appear does not meant that they will be featured!

I think you mean "does not mean".Thanks.

... if he would bring to Horde to Azeroth and wipe out the humans.

dont you mean:... if he would bring the Horde to Azeroth and wipe out the humans.Thank you too.

I don't know what was up with me when I wrote this, please forgive me everyone!

Comment by vtecjunkie81

on 2009-09-15T15:50:12-05:00

Great story! Learned some things about Medivh I didn't yet know, even after reading The Last Guardian.

How about a writeup on one of the more significant paladins? Maybe Uther or Tirion?

Comment by Alreadytaken

on 2009-09-15T18:33:46-05:00

What a great blog. Just have one question.

However, recent reports of a large raven flying around the ruins of Kharazan suggest that the Last Guardian may still be among us . . .

Exactly what reports? Or do you actually see a large raven flying around if you go to Kharazan?

Comment by Queggy

on 2009-09-15T19:53:59-05:00

What a great blog. Just have one question.

However, recent reports of a large raven flying around the ruins of Kharazan suggest that the Last Guardian may still be among us . . .

Exactly what reports? Or do you actually see a large raven flying around if you go to Kharazan?

I think I remember a raven flying around . . .

Comment by mindthegap5

on 2009-09-16T15:24:59-05:00

I actually went and made a cuppa to read this.

Comment by Adamsm

on 2009-09-17T00:16:55-05:00

I have one thing to say, and patty will kill me for it but it needs to be added: This month, comic 23, Med'an is traveling to Karazhan to meet his father, so we should find out what is going with the last Guardian. And one more, Med'an was born at some time during the 2nd War, as Garona was supposedly pregger's with the bastard guardian child when the force of Khadgar, Lothar and Garona went in to kill the Guardian.

Comment by LoKHor

on 2009-09-17T18:57:54-05:00

I also don't see the point in bringing Medivh back. His story should be over.

Great read. Nice and short but with a very balanced summary of how Medivh fits into the whole thing. One tiny thing is that it's Karazhan, not Kharazan. I know it can be confusing, especially since the leader of Dalaran is called Khadgar, not Kadghar. ;)

I totally look forward to the next lore instalment!

Comment by Gnoktish

on 2009-09-17T21:57:46-05:00

i think Medivh has not left us. with the coming of Cataclysm, he will have a bigger part now. he may want to try to stop Deathwing from destroying Azeroth

Comment by Morvayn

on 2009-09-23T13:44:18-05:00

nice read.

keep going!

I do believe he is still alive, and will have some influence on cataclysm storyline.

Comment by opocaj

on 2010-03-31T09:35:47-05:00

11 - Perhaps this disproves the theory that Thrall will not become another Guardian of Tirisfal if Medivh was truly the last one . . .

Wait, what?

So you are saying Thrall will become the next Guardian?

---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---

From the WS comic on WoW we read who the next guardian will be.Garona is the doughter of a dranei and an orc.The next guardian is half human, a quarter dranei and a quarter orc.And his father is Medivh!And he masters all schools of magic and of fighting.

Does this bring to your minds (as for me) the fact that soon we'll see every race be able to be almost any class?

Comment by Orranis

on 2010-03-31T10:05:16-05:00

11 - Perhaps this disproves the theory that Thrall will not become another Guardian of Tirisfal if Medivh was truly the last one . . .

Wait, what?

So you are saying Thrall will become the next Guardian?

---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---

From the WS comic on WoW we read who the next guardian will be.Garona is the doughter of a dranei and an orc.The next guardian is half human, a quarter dranei and a quarter orc.And his father is Medivh!And he masters all schools of magic and of fighting.

Does this bring to your minds (as for me) the fact that soon we'll see every race be able to be almost any class?

Dear God, how in the hell did you manage to necro this?

Comment by opocaj

on 2010-03-31T14:09:54-05:00

yeha, it seems my speciali've just decided that i'll end writing in forums...I'm always months late, with my news

sad sad me

Comment by darkton

on 2010-04-01T08:32:53-05:00

11 - Perhaps this disproves the theory that Thrall will not become another Guardian of Tirisfal if Medivh was truly the last one . . .

Wait, what?

So you are saying Thrall will become the next Guardian?

---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---SPOILER---

From the WS comic on WoW we read who the next guardian will be.Garona is the doughter of a dranei and an orc.The next guardian is half human, a quarter dranei and a quarter orc.And his father is Medivh!And he masters all schools of magic and of fighting.

Does this bring to your minds (as for me) the fact that soon we'll see every race be able to be almost any class?